I know there are atleast 4 different versions of the opening themesongs (not counting the credits at the end)

one is the original from the 80s and early 90s
one is similar to the original, that was on episodes in the early-mid 90s
one is the CBS version from 1996, 97 and maybe 98?
and one is the lifetime version which is on the DVDs



what am i missing? i remember there used to be a place where you could download all of them?

the lifetime version uses some of the same effects and drums that the original does, although the CBS version is alot different

There are five versions of the Unsolved Mysteries themes/opening credits. There are the ones you've mentioned. The first two themes on NBC were pretty much the same, the second one with the slight modifying in the theme and instruments. The third version in the mid '90's was on NBC still and was the one used when it left NBC in 1996-'97and carried over to CBS in '97-'98, their first year of six episodes. The fourth theme was in the 2nd yr of CBS' run of another six episodes in '98-'99. To me, these last two themes are way off the traditional Mysteries music as they emphasized into the haunting/paranormal type of tune.
Your right the final on Lifetime is the last one. I like this one very much, right up there with the 2nd theme that was more upbeat and souded cool (especially on the drums). I taped these off the tv and put them on an audio tape years ago. Hope this answers your question.

is there any particular reason why the older original theme wasnt used on the dvd? most people would probably recognize that version more than the one used on the dvd


i assume they didnt want to buy the rights from nbc to use it if it was cheaper to use lifetimes, but im no expert

i got a question about the theme songs. Did the music always change when they modified the opening credits, like i know that they changed the music and the opening credits when they switched from NBC to CBS, but did they ever have a new season where they just changed the music, and not the style of the unsolved mysteries, the purple bars and all that stuff? I mean all of u are saying the the late 80s music is the scariest and the most eerie, but I can't tell the difference between the lates 80 opening credits, and the early 90s opening credits. When I watch the reruns on lifetime the opening credits look all the same to me, whether its an 80s or early 90s episode. Can someone fill me in with the differences?

i got a question about the theme songs. Did the music always change when they modified the opening credits, like i know that they changed the music and the opening credits when they switched from NBC to CBS, but did they ever have a new season where they just changed the music, and not the style of the unsolved mysteries, the purple bars and all that stuff? I mean all of u are saying the the late 80s music is the scariest and the most eerie, but I can't tell the difference between the lates 80 opening credits, and the early 90s opening credits. When I watch the reruns on lifetime the opening credits look all the same to me, whether its an 80s or early 90s episode. Can someone fill me in with the differences?

Originally posted by hottstuff25
i got a question about the theme songs. Did the music always change when they modified the opening credits, like i know that they changed the music and the opening credits when they switched from NBC to CBS, but did they ever have a new season where they just changed the music, and not the style of the unsolved mysteries, the purple bars and all that stuff? I mean all of u are saying the the late 80s music is the scariest and the most eerie, but I can't tell the difference between the lates 80 opening credits, and the early 90s opening credits. When I watch the reruns on lifetime the opening credits look all the same to me, whether its an 80s or early 90s episode. Can someone fill me in with the differences?

From 1987-1993 the opening credits were the same(Purple bars after the segments). 1993-1995 featured the slightly modified theme with the purple writing "This Program". 1995-1996 started the blue background with no disclaimer at the beginning and then when it moved to CBS in 1997 the newest theme started and continued through the Lifetime years.

I was thinking how much I wish they would release the themes on a cd but I guess that will never happen.

Originally posted by Jeff003
I was thinking how much I wish they would release the themes on a cd but I guess that will never happen.

That would be cool if they could release them on CD. Also, all the background music from the segments on the CD would be cool. It would be fun to scare trick-or-treaters with on Halloween.

I was thinking how much I wish they would release the themes on a cd but I guess that will never happen.

yeah, or maybe as a bonus feature on one of the DVD sets


but I doubt they'd want to pay the money for the copyrights to show all the versions when they can just stick to the Lifetime one for alot less money

The full-length version of the theme from the NBC years can be found on "Television's Greatest Hits: Cable Ready" CD along with 64 other TV show theme songs from the 80's & 90's. It was released in 1996 on TeeVee Records & as far as I know it's still in print. :cool:

what about the other songs? they ever see the light of day?

i know theres a million of those tv themesong compilations out there, theres always hope that it popped up on one

Not since the airings on NBC have I seen the FULL theme and intro to Unsolved Mysteries(the 1993-1995 one)...until today. I cant tell you how much I love this series music. I just wish Lifetime would should the complete intro more often. And oh yes, I recorded it. :D